We usually sit toward the back row. The Lovely Wife on one side and me on the other. Like bookends, or as someone else more accurately described, like prison guards.
This time, however, a late arrival forced us closer to the front.
Between us squirm our four children. In this instance, the Boy, age 5, was recreating the Tower of Babel out of hymnals on one end of the pew. Our two-year-old, Captain Chaos, had his socks and shoes off and was working hard on his belt and pants, much to the horror of my aforementioned wife. Our oldest, the Drama Queen, was coloring, oblivious as ever to the ensuing chaos around her. Meanwhile, our one-year-old — I'm hoping in an attempt to prove her athletic ability to her doting dad — had just done a Hail Mary of her own, unfortunately it was more of the Doug Flutie type, hurling her pacifier over three pews of astonished church-goers to land with an echoing smack two feet in front of the priest.
This is how our family sits reverently through church.
Usually by sitting near the back row nobody can sneak in behind us and second guess our decision to have four children. Or see when The Boy uses a hymnal as a projectile to exact vengeance on the Drama Queen for an earlier transgression.
After Mass, as I'm apologizing to all those who dared sit near us, folks always remind me that children need to get in the habit of attending church. That, over time, they will learn the proper reverence and respect. I'm also of the belief that God may be reminding parents that even the patience of Job won’t be enough to last through every Mass.
To be honest, I'm usually thankful every Sunday that we make it through Mass without one of my kids knocking over a statue of Mary, breaking a stained glass window or tripping the priest (just because).
Despite all the heartburn and headache, each week we go hoping the kids will make new friends, which they have. Look, I know that we aren’t the first family to take young children to church. For the most part, people tend to understand.
And just maybe the kids are learning something.
Maybe they already have. Following a recent Mass, I asked the brood if had they learned anything between their constant pleas for bathroom breaks, snacks and various squabbles. It was quiet for a bit before The Boy finally piped up with an answer.
"If we're really good, Dad, one day the priest will give us a cracker."
That's close enough for me.
• I'll admit that I've jumped on the Rangers' bandwagon this year. Most nights, I have the game on in the background as I'm doing some type of work. In fact, this weekend I debated with my father about the team's chances. You see, it was my father who first got me hooked on the Texas Rangers. I can remember going fishing every weekend with him, listening to the ball games as we enjoyed some great summer evenings. The Rangers, though, have broken my father's heart too many times for him not to be a bit skeptical these days. Apparently,
he's not alone.
• Don offers up some good tips if you're planning to shoot some photos at this coming weekend's festivities.
Link. • Speaking of 4th of July, don't forget that Terrell is
planning some festivities.
• Jim first
pointed me to this and like him I've been following it.
• Over the weekend, one of my colleagues told me that they thought I was "really creative." The one thing I really regret not having enough time for anymore is being "really creative." I'm going to work on making more time for that.
• Speaking of regrets, another I have is not having enough time to write as much anymore. I got into this business because I love to tell stories. Lately, I've spent more time putting out fires than developing my craft. I'm hoping to change that as well.
• I'd be surprised if we make it through this week without some sort of protest, announcement or new development happening with
the DA's situation.
• The photo at the top is the aforementioned Captain Chaos who couldn't quite keep his eyes open during his older siblings' baptism.
